District Digest News Stories

Senior electrical engineer honored as ‘Modern-Day Technology Leader’

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Feb. 19, 2020
Allan Steele (Second from right), senior electrical engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s Hydropower Section, is honored as a “Modern-Day Technology Leader” during the 34th Black Engineer of the Year Awards Technology Recognition Luncheon Feb. 14, 2020 in Washington D.C.  Dr. Robin N. Coger, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina A&T University, Marsh M. Williams (Second from Left), principle deputy assistant secretary of the Army, and Dr. Kendall Harris, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Texas Southern University, made the presentation. (Courtesy Asset)

Allan Steele (Second from right), senior electrical engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s Hydropower Section, is honored as a “Modern-Day Technology Leader” during the 34th Black Engineer of the Year Awards Technology Recognition Luncheon Feb. 14, 2020 in Washington D.C. Dr. Robin N. Coger, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina A&T University, Marsh M. Williams (Second from Left), principle deputy assistant secretary of the Army, and Dr. Kendall Harris, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Texas Southern University, made the presentation. (Courtesy Asset)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2020) – Officials honored a senior electrical engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District as a “Modern-Day Technology Leader” during the 34th Black Engineers of the Year Awards Technology Recognition Luncheon Feb. 14 in Washington, D.C.

Allan Steele, who works in the Civil Design Branch Hydropower Section, received this recognition from Dr. Robin N. Coger, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina A&T University, Marsh M. Williams, principle deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and Dr. Kendall Harris, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Texas Southern University.

Lt. Col. Sonny B. Avichal, Nashville District commander, said it is fitting for Steele to be recognized because he is both a role model and exemplifies success in the Nashville District Civil Design Branch’s Hydropower Section.

“I am very proud of Allan and his demonstrated excellence,” Avichal said. “His work on numerous design projects have made a positive impact to our navigation, flood risk reduction and hydropower missions. He is very deserving of being named a ‘Modern-Day Technology Leader.’”

Steele notably serves on the Dam Safety Risk Cadre and provides expert engineering inspections and assessments. Not only does he provide these services for the Corps of Engineers, but he also shares technical expertise with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

He has more than 20 years of industrial controls experience designing and implementing industrial machine controls, barrier controls systems, product distribution systems, and dam and navigational lock control systems. His current responsibilities include the design of electrical schematics, production of proposals for panel fabrication and electrical installation for distribution systems.

Maj. Gen. Mark Toy endorsed Steele’s nomination as a “Modern-Day Technology Leader” prior to changing commands from the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division to the Mississippi Valley Division. In his endorsement, Toy recognized how Steele plays a pivotal role in designing and inspecting key features of the nation’s infrastructure.

“Of particular interest, Mr. Steele recently completed navigational lock controls that incorporate key safety interlocks to ensure safe inland navigation through Barkley Lock on the Cumberland River,” Toy wrote. “Additionally, he completed designs to upgrade the remote control systems for the powerhouses on the Cumberland River.”

Lt. Col. Cullen Jones, former commander of the Nashville District, nominated Steele as a “Modern-Day Technology Leader,” and noted that he is a consummate professional who bridges the gap by taking on extra work, without complaint, when other engineers are deployed to overseas contingency assignments.

“Additionally, despite the heavy technical workload he carries, Mr. Steele makes time to technically mentor junior engineers, Department of the Army interns, and Fort. Campbell soldiers,” Jones wrote.

The recognition luncheon, held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, recognized nearly 400 men and women chosen directly by their organizations for achievements that earned the admiration and respect of their peers and leaders.

Steele said his brief moment in the spotlight during the event really meant a lot.

“This means that I’m appreciated and that the work I do makes a difference,” Steele said.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps. For more information on the Black Engineer of the Year Awards, go to http://www.beya.org.